9-3 Convertible for the summer?

[RESSE]

We are looking for a 4 seater convertible for the summer and like the look of the 9-3, mostly due to cost as my budget max is £2,500.

Car would be for weekend use/fun.

Are the any owners who have recently purchased one of the earlier models that could give me feedback?

[oblio]

Not an early one but I am on my second!

They are a great car

Good looks and practical...I suggest a Euro trip for best results

[StarmistBlue400]

RESSE said:

We are looking for a 4 seater convertible for the summer and like the look of the 9-3, mostly due to cost as my budget max is £2,500.

Car would be for weekend use/fun.

Are the any owners who have recently purchased one of the earlier models that could give me feedback?

Is that an Aero Hot? If so I have the coupe version. Ive only owned since September and although the handling isnt great it has a decent turn of speed.

Get the oil sump dropped and checked before you buy. Mine has had a couple of issues that were easily sorted. Have a look on UK Saabs and the other forums, you will get more advice there.

[griffin dai]

You should pick up a nice vert for that money plus have enough left over to put towards the handling (it needs it!)

Here's my old SE, I paid £1,500 for it 2 years ago, 2001/2002 Aero's where around £2k when I was looking. A remap took this to aero performance, nothing earth shattering but still pretty quick.....the lpt definitely needs it as its a slug!



Chassis isn't the best on these so at a minimum I'd get a steering rack & clamp brace (from PFS or Abbott racing), and subframe brace (2,4 or 6 point) from Abbotts/speedparts/ebay. Then piggy back the rear arb as its a cheap easy mod. That should help a bit!

I spent a good £2k on handling mods alone which improved things a lot over standard but still wasn't that great tbh. I'd look for one in decent nick with as much done to the handling as possible (I pollybushed mine and that cost a fair bit in labour let alone forking out on new bushes/suspension/braces etc etc)

Mine was an older t5 car (b204) so no slugging issues (very strong engines) later ones, 2000-2003 were t7 (b205) and have the sludging problem so I'd get the sump dropped & cleaned, fit the latest PCV kit and use fully synthetic oil just for piece of mind. 100% worth a look on Uksaabs for more advice and a remap (don't get a pro tune, not worth it. Go with either Saabnoob (t7) or Jules (t5) from UKS.

Also check the bulkhead isn't split, not the end of the world as there's kits available to fix it but factor that in with the asking price. Sit in the drivers seat and turn the wheel from lock to lock, any major movement in the pedals it might be split, also if you see the steering rack moving under the bonnet....split.

Would I buy another....don't know? Nice enough car but didn't really do it for me

[RESSE]

StarmistBlue400 said:

Is that an Aero Hot? If so I have the coupe version. Ive only owned since September and although the handling isnt great it has a decent turn of speed.

Get the oil sump dropped and checked before you buy. Mine has had a couple of issues that were easily sorted. Have a look on UK Saabs and the other forums, you will get more advice there.

Yes it is a Hot Aero (one for sale on Autotrader). Thanks for the UK Saabs link.

[RESSE]

griffin dai said:

You should pick up a nice vert for that money plus have enough left over to put towards the handling (it needs it!)

Here's my old SE, I paid £1,500 for it 2 years ago, 2001/2002 Aero's where around £2k when I was looking. A remap took this to aero performance, nothing earth shattering but still pretty quick.....the lpt definitely needs it as its a slug!



Chassis isn't the best on these so at a minimum I'd get a steering rack & clamp brace (from PFS or Abbott racing), and subframe brace (2,4 or 6 point) from Abbotts/speedparts/ebay. Then piggy back the rear arb as its a cheap easy mod. That should help a bit!

I spent a good £2k on handling mods alone which improved things a lot over standard but still wasn't that great tbh. I'd look for one in decent nick with as much done to the handling as possible (I pollybushed mine and that cost a fair bit in labour let alone forking out on new bushes/suspension/braces etc etc)

Mine was an older t5 car (b204) so no slugging issues (very strong engines) later ones, 2000-2003 were t7 (b205) and have the sludging problem so I'd get the sump dropped & cleaned, fit the latest PCV kit and use fully synthetic oil just for piece of mind. 100% worth a look on Uksaabs for more advice and a remap (don't get a pro tune, not worth it. Go with either Saabnoob (t7) or Jules (t5) from UKS.

Also check the bulkhead isn't split, not the end of the world as there's kits available to fix it but factor that in with the asking price. Sit in the drivers seat and turn the wheel from lock to lock, any major movement in the pedals it might be split, also if you see the steering rack moving under the bonnet....split.

Would I buy another....don't know? Nice enough car but didn't really do it for me

griffin dai

Thanks for the feedback - most helpful.

[DSLiverpool]

I'm in the same boat but looking at £3k and a automatic, no seller will let you drop the sump so specifically what are the models and years to avoid - cheers guys